Author Topic: ToyBrota's 85 Xtracab Build up.  (Read 70931 times)

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Toybrota

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ToyBrota's 85 Xtracab Build up.
« on: Mar 05, 2017, 11:36:35 AM »

    Hey everyone, I've been on this forum for well over a year now, haven't really contributed to anything rather than just being an annoyance with all my questions! I thought I'd make my build up page, for my truck.
Anything that I do to it I'm gonna try and add here.

Anyways, it's an 85 Toyota Pickup 4WD Xtracab. I got it December 2015, and have daily driven it ever since. Here's a picture from the day I got her!

I paid around $3500 for it, I considered it a good deal at the time as it was completely stock, was in good shape, and didn't have any mechanical problems, but the honey moon phase ended with a bad water pump that led to a bad head gasket, I originally planned to replace all those myself, but I paid someone to do it, and over a month later of it being in the shop, I got it back...

After that, everything was smooth sailing, I had a reliable daily driver that I really liked, something that would always start and take care of me in these cold Utah winters.

Here's a list of things I've done:

- Timing chain, unfortunately I don't have pictures of the process, it took me 12 hours straight to do it, LCE metal timing guides and an OSK timing kit. Good deal!

- Pro Comp lift, I know, bolt on lifts have a bad reputation as they aren't that great, but it did what I needed it too, clear big tires and have better off road capabilities.


- Big tires, everyone says that huge 33 inch mud terrains aren't good with stock gearing, yeah, I wish I had listened. It was hell, it did amazing off road, but not being able to go very fast kinda sucked...

- Better tires, for my 18th birthday I got some 31 inch all terrains, which fair MUCH better with the stock gearing, 4:10's and 31's are a good combo, they look really great!



Now, for the plans that I want to do soon.

- Fix the fuel gauge
- High-steer
-Winch bumper

I wanna use this as my daily for a long time, I am done with highschool real soon and then there's gonna be UTI, which means time for expensive upgrades won't happen.

I'm also going to Moab this spring break, during the Jeep Safari. Catch me there!

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OVRAROK

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Re: ToyBrota's 85 Xtracab Build up.
« Reply #1 on: Mar 05, 2017, 11:42:13 AM »
Good looking truck.  :biggthumpup:
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kneedownnate

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Re: ToyBrota's 85 Xtracab Build up.
« Reply #2 on: Mar 05, 2017, 02:17:19 PM »
Nice to see a reasonably unmolested truck in a sea of grossly molested trucks
RIP KYOTA

You can go through life being scared of the possible, or you can have a little fun and tease the inevitable.

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Toybrota [OP]

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Re: ToyBrota's 85 Xtracab Build up.
« Reply #3 on: Mar 05, 2017, 02:48:34 PM »
Nice to see a reasonably unmolested truck in a sea of grossly molested trucks
I agree, don't get me wrong, I Love these trucks as hard core wheelers, but a daily driver that can do light wheeling is what I want! I'm hesitant to convert to High-steer as I wanna restore it to factory at some point.

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Toybrota [OP]

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Re: ToyBrota's 85 Xtracab Build up.
« Reply #4 on: Mar 06, 2017, 01:14:14 PM »
Put in a new steering stabilizer today.



The old one might've been original, it didn't really do much stabilizing.



Now the freeways are less scary, I can do 75 Mph with more confidence.
Bigger tires + Lift + Old steering components = Scary freeways...



The adjustable draglink is a pain in the butt, anyone got tips for this? I did the trick of putting a nickel behind the adjustment screw, helps tighten it up.

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Re: ToyBrota's 85 Xtracab Build up.
« Reply #5 on: Mar 06, 2017, 03:52:43 PM »
Honestly, it's just not a good set up. Save up your funds and get a high steer set up and be amazed at how it drives afterwards.
83 long bed 2wd sas, 3rz, w56, duals with 4.7 rear, 4.88 elock front, spartan rear, 39.5 iroks
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Toybrota [OP]

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Re: ToyBrota's 85 Xtracab Build up.
« Reply #6 on: Mar 06, 2017, 05:04:37 PM »
Honestly, it's just not a good set up. Save up your funds and get a high steer set up and be amazed at how it drives afterwards.
I agree 100%, I just can't afford it right now. Plus, with the little wheeling I do I can't justify it. This summer I might, because I can ride my motorcycle and work on the truck.
I wanna rebuild the front end at the same time as well, 4:56 gears and maybe a locker.

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kneedownnate

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Re: ToyBrota's 85 Xtracab Build up.
« Reply #7 on: Mar 06, 2017, 09:06:31 PM »
Allpro almost always has their hy steer kit on sale
RIP KYOTA

You can go through life being scared of the possible, or you can have a little fun and tease the inevitable.

Give a man venison, he'll eat for a day. Teach a man to hunt Blacktail, he'll be frustrated for life!

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Re: ToyBrota's 85 Xtracab Build up.
« Reply #8 on: Mar 07, 2017, 04:59:27 AM »
Just a tid bit of suggestion. If you don't have them already, I'd go ahead and go 4.88. The 22r will like it better with 33s. I understand wheeling on a budget sir. When I was fresh out of high school it took me months to save enough to build my sammie. I still have an 81 that has push pull steering. It's night and day different from cross over. Like nate said all pro is always doing some sort deal. I like their knuckle rebuild kits as well.
83 long bed 2wd sas, 3rz, w56, duals with 4.7 rear, 4.88 elock front, spartan rear, 39.5 iroks
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06 tacoma street truck

Toybrota [OP]

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Re: ToyBrota's 85 Xtracab Build up.
« Reply #9 on: Mar 07, 2017, 07:31:32 AM »
4:88's? I'll likely go that route. My truck did better up hill on 33's with stock gearing that it does now, crazy how that works.

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Re: ToyBrota's 85 Xtracab Build up.
« Reply #10 on: Mar 07, 2017, 12:16:14 PM »
Yes sir. 4.88 gear will give you a little more torque than the 4.56 would. And if your spending the money might as well go with the better option.
83 long bed 2wd sas, 3rz, w56, duals with 4.7 rear, 4.88 elock front, spartan rear, 39.5 iroks
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06 tacoma street truck

Toybrota [OP]

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Re: ToyBrota's 85 Xtracab Build up.
« Reply #11 on: Mar 07, 2017, 06:22:58 PM »


Cut off the ends of the bumper today, it was rotted REALLY badly, figured I'd help before it spreads to badly.



Did it by hand, with a hacksaw. Strangely my right arm got less tired.

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Re: ToyBrota's 85 Xtracab Build up.
« Reply #12 on: Mar 07, 2017, 07:05:54 PM »


Cut off the ends of the bumper today, it was rotted REALLY badly, figured I'd help before it spreads to badly.



Did it by hand, with a hacksaw. Strangely my right arm got less tired.

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Well, I think you out rank me as the youngest guy here now. And the bumper looks way better no IMHO. Did you (or plan to) put caps on the ends?


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Toybrota [OP]

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Re: ToyBrota's 85 Xtracab Build up.
« Reply #13 on: Mar 07, 2017, 07:12:37 PM »
Well, I think you out rank me as the youngest guy here now. And the bumper looks way better no IMHO. Did you (or plan to) put caps on the ends?


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I DID plan too, but they are in the old ends really tight, and I'm just gonna end up ruining them. They sell the end caps, I could easily buy them. Gotta save for Moab though!

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Re: ToyBrota's 85 Xtracab Build up.
« Reply #14 on: Mar 07, 2017, 08:41:54 PM »
I would still plan to. You should just be able to get a thin plate of steel and weld it on the the ends, cut it off then paint it.


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Toybrota [OP]

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Re: ToyBrota's 85 Xtracab Build up.
« Reply #15 on: Mar 16, 2017, 12:56:27 PM »


Added and mounted a 5 gallon Jerry can.
$40 at harbor freight, and it's not their brand but much better.

Anyone ever locked the cap on one of these? I could care less if someone steals the gas, I just don't want someone to put sugar or something in it. The kids I go to school with would do something like that.

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Toybrota [OP]

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Re: ToyBrota's 85 Xtracab Build up.
« Reply #16 on: Mar 21, 2017, 09:41:35 PM »
Ah, guess the U-Joints in my front axle called it quits. Thought it was the birfields making all the noise, but that in addition to the binding led me to find the double Cardan is bad. At least its an easy thing to rebuild.
Pro Tip: Always align your drive shaft if it gets removed, the U joints will last longer.

Toybrota [OP]

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Re: ToyBrota's 85 Xtracab Build up.
« Reply #17 on: Apr 04, 2017, 09:27:02 AM »
The preparation for Moab this weekend begins now.
Painting the skid plate and got the rebuilt driveshaft installed.
Carpet is all gone, makes the sand and dirt adventure much easier when cleaning up.
Got the truck shell on so I can sleep inside.

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Toybrota [OP]

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Re: ToyBrota's 85 Xtracab Build up.
« Reply #18 on: Jun 22, 2017, 06:33:52 PM »
This thread has been pretty dead lately, in a couple weeks I am putting a new transmission in my truck as the one I had blew out.
Surprised it made it to 330K miles, I am pretty good at driving manual, so I hope it wasn't something I had done!

I also went ahead and ordered Marlin's clutch kit, 1200LB kit. Overkill? Absolutely I would say, truck is pretty much stock so an OEM clutch would've worked but hell, overkill is good! Along with that I got a new slave cylinder and trans boot.

Only thing I am waiting on is the trans, closest junk yard with one is 300 miles away... Ebay!


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Re: ToyBrota's 85 Xtracab Build up.
« Reply #19 on: Jun 23, 2017, 01:50:07 PM »
I like it. always good to have a different approach.
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Re: ToyBrota's 85 Xtracab Build up.
« Reply #20 on: Jun 23, 2017, 09:38:56 PM »
Got the transmission ordered, found a G52 on ebay for 500 bucks, 111K miles on it.
Should be here next week along with my clutch kit and all my other goodies.

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Re: ToyBrota's 85 Xtracab Build up.
« Reply #21 on: Jun 24, 2017, 06:39:58 PM »
Enjoying this build.  Keep it up.

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Toybrota [OP]

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Re: ToyBrota's 85 Xtracab Build up.
« Reply #22 on: Jun 24, 2017, 06:53:12 PM »
Picked up my transmission jack today and got the truck a little bit taken apart.
It still drives in first gear, so I'll have to drive it about a mile to get to the garage I'm working in, not to bad.

I also thought I should highlight my somewhat custom shifter, shortened the shaft about 2 inches.

And finally, my ride for a couple of weeks.
1977 Honda XL350, bored out with a weisco piston.

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Re: ToyBrota's 85 Xtracab Build up.
« Reply #23 on: Jun 24, 2017, 06:53:51 PM »
Here's the bike, good for taking me to and from the Toyota dealer I work at.

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Toybrota [OP]

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Re: ToyBrota's 85 Xtracab Build up.
« Reply #24 on: Jun 24, 2017, 07:05:10 PM »
Anyone have tips on the top bell housing bolts? I know those are the worst to get to. Also, what gear oil is advised to use? I know Redline is amazing, but the price is just a bit much for me right now. Any best second picks?

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Re: ToyBrota's 85 Xtracab Build up.
« Reply #25 on: Jun 26, 2017, 08:41:06 AM »
Anyone have tips on the top bell housing bolts? I know those are the worst to get to. Also, what gear oil is advised to use? I know Redline is amazing, but the price is just a bit much for me right now. Any best second picks?

couple long extensions with a knuckle before the socket. and/or remove the crossmember and crop the rear of the trans a bit to crack the bolts loose. last alternative is remove some dash parts and cut an access in the floor/firewall.
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Re: ToyBrota's 85 Xtracab Build up.
« Reply #26 on: Jun 26, 2017, 09:33:52 AM »
Yeah like THK Matt said, drop the back of the trans a few inches and go at em with two feet or so of extensions. Also a flash light might help, always nice to be able to see .

What kind of bike is that? I like it
80 shortbed-22re,w56,Marlin 23 spline dual cases,HighAngle drivelines,RUF/63"chevy's,35''mtr's,30 spline Longfields, Allpro highsteer.87 rear axle,5.29 gears,rear spool,BudBuilt cm, marlin HD clutch,ramsey 8000 winch. 
     https://board.marlincrawler.com/index.php?topic=101882.0

Toybrota [OP]

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Re: ToyBrota's 85 Xtracab Build up.
« Reply #27 on: Jun 26, 2017, 09:41:16 AM »
Yeah like THK Matt said, drop the back of the trans a few inches and go at em with two feet or so of extensions. Also a flash light might help, always nice to be able to see .

What kind of bike is that? I like it
It's a 1977 Honda XL350, bored out.

I was planning on dropping the trans a bit, I'm gonna soak those bolts in PB

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Re: ToyBrota's 85 Xtracab Build up.
« Reply #28 on: Jun 26, 2017, 04:28:13 PM »
Decided to go big or go home, I bought two of the super-long extension sets. Total of 2 24" 3/8ths drive extension. 4 feet. Plus many 1/4 inch extensions which are useless for me.

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Re: ToyBrota's 85 Xtracab Build up.
« Reply #29 on: Jun 28, 2017, 12:03:27 PM »
Clutch and transmission comes today. Expect lots of pictures.

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